Question

Is Pineapple a CAM Plant?

Answer 1

Plants that fix carbon dioxide via the CAM pathway or Crassulacean acid metabolism are referred to as CAM plants. It was first discovered in the Crassulaceae family of plants. They can be found in dry environments. The CAM pathway has been designed to reduce water loss and photorespiration.

Complete answer:
Plants that fix carbon dioxide via the CAM pathway or Crassulacean acid metabolism are referred to as CAM plants. It was first discovered in the Crassulaceae family of plants. They can be found in dry environments. The CAM pathway has been designed to reduce water loss and photorespiration. Cactus, pineapple, and other CAM plants are examples.

CAM Photosynthesis:
I) Plants have adapted the CAM pathway to perform photosynthesis under stress. Photorespiration is reduced by the CAM pathway.
II) Stomata in CAM plants are open at night and absorb carbon dioxide to reduce water loss during the day.

The steps in the procedure are as follows:
- The first step in carbon dioxide fixation is the reaction of Carbon dioxide with PEP (phosphoenolpyruvate) in the chloroplast of mesophyll cells to form 4 carbon. PEP carboxylase catalyzes the reaction. This happens at night.
- Stomata remain closed during the day, so there is no gas exchange. Malate is transported out of the vacuole, and carbon dioxide is released during the decarboxylation process.
- This carbon dioxide eventually enters the Calvin cycle, completing carbon dioxide fixation. The carbon dioxide that accumulates around RuBisCO improves photosynthesis efficiency and decreases photorespiration.
- Oxaloacetate is broken down into malate and other acids. At night, malate is stored in vacuoles.
- Some of the most common CAM plants: Orchids, Cacti, Aloe, Pineapple, Agave, Moringa, some Euphorbia and Bromelioideae species, and so on.

Thus, Pineapple is, in fact, a CAM plant. Crassulacean acid metabolism, which is a carbon fixation pathway during photosynthesis, is found in CAM plants. It is suited to arid environments. Because stomata remain closed during the day, gas exchange occurs at night to conserve water.

Note: Plants that use CAM (Crassulacean Acid Metabolism) are xerophytes. Because this pathway reduces photorespiration, photorespiration does not occur in CAM Plants. Photorespiration occurs when the carbon dioxide concentration inside a leaf decreases. This occurs primarily on hot, arid days when plants are forced to close their stomata to prevent excess water loss. If the plants continue to try to fix carbon dioxide when their stomata are closed, all of the carbon dioxide stored will be consumed, and the oxygen proportions will surge when compared to carbon dioxide levels.